CADET program to continue offering chemical dependency treatment for inmates

By Bobby Warren Staff Writer

Saturday

Aug 31, 2013 at 4:00 AM

WOOSTER -- Wayne County Jail inmates will continue to have access to a chemical dependency treatment program after the commissioners, Municipal Court judges and the local Job & Family Services office renewed funding.

Liberty Center Connections' CADET Program will receive a total of $85,000 -- $40,000 from JFS, $25,000 from the Municipal Court and $20,000 from the county's general fund -- to help inmates.

Bobbi Douglas, executive director of Liberty Center Connections, said the program is four hours per day, five days a week. It's a big job to get those inmates into a treatment program once they are released from jail, however, about 65 percent do make the transition, she said.

As for the other 35 percent, some might be transferred to a prison or opt not to live in the community, Douglas said.

Commissioner Scott Wiggam asked about how many of the people in the program re-offend.

Program participants who reside in Wayne County are tracked for two years, and about 70 percent of them do not commit another drug or alcohol offense over that period, Douglas said.

The commissioners also approved a contract with Kokosing Construction Company Inc., Mansfield, for $43,671.50 to make street improvements and pave a parking lot in Apple Creek.

Lisa Johnson, deputy director of the Wayne County Planning Department, said the work needs to be done by the end of the year because it is part of the current Community Development Block Grant.

Commissioner Ann Obrecht said she is glad to see the project moving forward because she was concerned it might not get done on time.